Alex Trebek Lives His Life One Question At A Time

Since Alex Trebek began hosting Jeopardy! in 1984, family time has involved the phrase, “the answer is.” Trebek joined Jeopardy! when Merv Griffin revived the show in 1984. Since then he has become a cultural icon, known as much for his droll sense of humor as his perfectly coifed mustache. It’s comforting to know that as the world changes, one thing will always remain the same. To state our answer in the form of a question, “who is Alex Trebek?” Here are the facts, and some are stranger than fiction, including the reason he once said goodbye to his mustache for 13 years!

He Once Bought A Mountain To Build A House

Photo Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM

Proving no task is too small, Alex Trebek once bought a piece of a mountain for $1.5 million just so he could build a house on top of it. Asked about the ambitious task, he remarked, “We’ll have to cut the top off of the mountain to make a pad, but that’s the kind of thing I enjoy doing.”

Before building a home on a mountain, Trebek lived in another home he built on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. Basically, he loves hosting Jeopardy! and he loves building things. He truly is a man of simple pleasures.

His First Hosting Gig Was In Canada In 1963

Photo Credit: Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Alex Trebek might be best known as the host of Jeopardy! but that doesn’t mean it’s the only show he’s ever hosted. In 1963, Trebek hosted Music Hop in Canada. Three years later he took the reigns of Reach For The Top, a high school quiz show.

Until Jeopardy! came calling in 1984, Trebek bounced around the hosting word. Do you remember The Wizard of Odds? We don’t either, but Alex Trebek does. He also remembers the seven other shows he hosted until he filmed a pilot for the revival of America’s favorite game show. Next, no curse word is off limits when the camera stops rolling!

Trebek Curses Like A Sailor On Set

Alex Trebek carries himself like a noble professional with contestants when the cameras are rolling, but when they stop, he can’t help but curse. If you’ve been lucky enough to see a behind the scenes “blooper reel” of Trebek than you know what we’re talking about.

Filming an advertisement for Phone Jeopardy!, Trebek is seen drinking and cursing every time he messes up a line. One of the highlights is when he says, “you dumb son of [expletive] you don’t watch it [Jeopardy!] 24 hours a day.”

Candy And Soda Are His Favorite Foods

Photo Credit: Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Looking fit and healthy in his 70s, it would be easy to assume Alex Trebek watches his diet like a hawk. The truth couldn’t be more wrong. He once admitted that his breakfast of choice used to be a Snickers bar and a Diet Pepsi.

Then, after a nutritionist told him to stop, he mixed it up, “I stopped eating Snickers and Diet Pepsi, and I replaced them with Milky Ways and Diet Cokes, so you’re not going to catch me eating properly in the mornings.” Up next, the reason why he shaved his mustache after 30 years and if he’ll ever grow it back.

The World Was Shocked When He Shaved His ‘Stache

Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage via Getty Images

In 2001, Alex Trebek nearly caused a global panic when he decided to shave his signature mustache without warning. He decided on a whim and did the deed in between filming shows. When he stepped back into the spotlight, everyone was stunned.

When his first mustache free show aired, the nation lost its mind, ” it got so much press, I couldn’t believe it. The wars with Iraq or whatever at that time and people are all in a stew over my mustache.” To be fair, it was a great lip piece. In 2014, the mustache returned, again on a whim, after a 13-year vacation.

Who Needs Pants? Trebek Didn’t For One Special Episode

Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

During the Tournament of Champions one year, the contestants were so nervous they agreed to compete on Jeopardy! without wearing pants. In a show of solidarity, Alex Trebek agreed to host the show that same way. When the cameras rolled, and Trebek walked on stage, his pants were nowhere to be seen.

Moments later, Trebek had cameras go behind the contestants, only to learn all of them were wearing pants. He quickly ran off-screen to grab his. When he returned, pants on, the show carried on as if nothing awkward had just happened.

If You Steal His Stuff He Will Come After You

Photo Credit: Paul Morigi/WireImage via Getty Images

One of the worst things that can happen to a person on vacation is when someone sneaks into your hotel room and steals your stuff. When this happened to Alex Trebek in 2011, he took justice into his own hands, chasing down the thief and getting his stuff back.

In the process of chasing down the thief, Trebek blew out his Achilles tendon. The real lesson here is that Trebek is a light sleeper. He said he woke up in the middle of the night while the thief was ruffling through his things. The next part of the story is extra revealing.

Alex Trebek Sleeps Naked

Photo Credit: Ben Hider/Getty Images

When recounting the story of how he apprehended the thief, Alex Trebek left nothing to the imagination. Not only was he sleeping at the time, but he was also naked. When he chased down the thief, he made sure to put on underwear first.

Let’s be honest for a second; no one wants to see Alex Trebek running down a hotel lobby in the nude. Well, maybe some people do, other people would call the cops. After a successful surgery on his Achilles tendon, Trebek returned to hosting without missing a beat. Coming up, do you think Trebek likes when comedians impersonate him?

He Prefers Eugene Levy’s Impersonation To Will Ferrell

Photo Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

Alex Trebek doesn’t take himself too seriously and loves that he has been parodied by comedians worldwide. In the United States, Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night Live impersonation is far and away the best known. A Canada native, Trebek prefers the impression done by SCTV alumni Eugene Levy.

To most audiences, Levy is best known as Jim’s Dad in the American Pie movie franchise. To Canadians, he was first known as a sketch comedian on Dave Thomas’ SCTV. Trebek says he feels Levy’s is more accurate to his own mannerisms.

Trebek Makes $10 Million For Two Days Of Work A Week

Photo Credit: Wodicka/ullstein bild via Getty Images

When Alex Trebek signed his last contract with the producers of Jeopardy! it was for $10 million a year. That’s a lot of dough for two days of work a week! The show airs five nights a week, but that doesn’t mean it’s filmed daily.

Between filming episodes in a day, Trebek will go backstage and change suits. Remember, when he shaved his mustache, he did it between filming episodes, not after waking up refreshed one morning. His two days of work run about 12 hours each. It’s okay to be jealous.

He Broke A Guinness World Record In 2014

Alex Trebek was presented with a huge honor in 2014, breaking Bob Barker’s Guinness World Record for TV game show episodes hosted. Just how many episodes of Jeopardy! did Trebek have to get through to earn the distinction? In the form of a question, “what is 6,289?”

As we’ve already said, Trebek began hosting the iconic show in 1984 and has been behind the podium ever since. He has only taken a hiatus once, and that was because of a medical emergency. To learn more about that, head to the next slide for $1,000!

A Brain Clot Sidelined Trebek In 2018

Photo Credit: Beck Starr/WireImage via Getty Images

In January 2018, it was announced that Alex Trebek needed to have brain surgery to fix a subdermal hematoma. That blood cot was the result of a bad fall he took in December. Trebek described the medical emergency as a “slight medical problem” to help ease fan’s minds.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, however, the blood clot is actually, “among the deadliest of all head injuries.” Two days after a successful surgery, Trebek was able to go home and recover. And because he had just filmed several episodes of Jeopardy! he was able to return to hosting duties without a break in production.

He Owns 100 Suits

Photo Credit: View Pictures/UIG via Getty Images

To maintain the illusion of time passing while filming Jeopardy! Alex Trebek has a sizable wardrobe. He claims to own over 100 suits, more than enough to get him through a few months of filming without having to do laundry!

What’s most surprising about that statement is that he owns the suits. Typically, the wardrobe is provided by the production company. Maybe he keeps his personal suit collection at home, then, ready for any occasion he needs to look his best without people saying, “didn’t you wear that last time?”

He Was The First Person To Host Three Game Shows At The Same Time

Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

Only having to work two days a week on Jeopardy! has its advantages. One such advantage is being able to host multiple shows as long as they film on different days. This is exactly what Alex Trebek did in 1991, becoming the first person to host three American game shows at the same time.

History was made when Trebek took over hosting duties on, To Tell the Truth, after Lynn Swann left. Aside from Jeopardy! his other show was Classic Concentration on NBC. Shortly after Trebek took over for Swann, To Tell the Truth, was canceled by the network. Up ahead, learn about the one thing Trebek loves more than himself.

Trebek Loves Watching Himself Unless The Lakers Are On

Photo Credit: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

Alex Trebek is a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan. He watches the team religiously during the season, making sure to never miss a hoop. And when the Lakers aren’t on, his favorite activity becomes watching himself host Jeopardy! which doesn’t sound weird or narcissistic at all.

We wonder with how technology has advanced, just how Jeopardy! Alex Trebek really watches. In theory, he could stream in online 24/7 if he chose to. Of course, we know he doesn’t. Not if the Lakers are on or he’s building a new house, at least.

He Majored In Philosophy Because Classes Were In The Morning

Photo Credit: Doublespace/View Pictures/UIG via Getty Images

Alex Trebek attended the University of Ottawa but apparently had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He knew he needed a job to pay for his tuition though, and the best jobs started in the afternoon. With that in mind, Trebek chose the major with the most morning classes: Philosophy.

Able to get his degree in the morning and work in the evenings was perfect for Trebek. He must have liked the program! Since becoming a major celebrity, Trebek has donated generously to the University and held a “Distinguished Lecture Series” there in 2016.

He Gave Up Hockey After Shaving His Mustache

Photo Credit: Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images

This one is probably a coincidence, but Alex Trebek says he gave up playing hockey after shaving his mustache. A longtime hockey fan, he still watches the sport but doesn’t play anymore. We think that the workout was no longer worth the effort, but maybe getting rid of the ‘stache destroyed his source of power.

Whatever the case, he still loves hockey. Trebek even said if he ever left Jeopardy! he thinks the announcer for the Los Angeles Kings should take over as host. He’s not retiring anytime soon, though, he’s signed through 2020 to host the show.

He Produced The First Three Episodes Of Jeopardy! Himself

Photo Credit: Frank Lennon/Toronto Star via Getty Images

From 1984 until 1987, Alex Trebek did more than host Jeopardy! He also produced it. This meant he wasn’t working two days a week and only 24 hours. He was probably working more than five days a week and definitely more than 40 hours! He only stopped producing the game show when the opportunity came to host the second one.

That second show, of course, was Classic Concentration. Trebek pulled double hosting duty until 1991 when it became triple hosting duty. By the end of 1991, both To Tell the Truth and Classic Concentration were canceled. Coming up, do you remember what famous TV he guest starred on as a man in black?

The X-Files Cast Trebek As A Man In Black

Photo Credit: FOX via Getty Images

Did you know that Alex Trebek guest starred in one of the most famous episodes of The X-Files? “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space” is the season three episode of the science fiction classic about an author questioning Mulder and Scully about an alien investigation for his new book.

In the second half of the episode, Mulder is confronted by two men in black, one played by Jesse Ventura and the other by Alex Trebek. Credited as “Man in Black 2” the role is one of the only speaking roles where Trebek wasn’t playing himself.

He Once Scared A Little Girl Talking About Dead Pets

Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

While filming a special week of Jeopardy! in DC in 2012, Alex Trebek took a break from filming to let the audience ask him questions. Near the end of the period, a little girl asked him if he had any pets. He said he had a dog, then told everyone about the pets he used to have and how they all died.

One of his old dogs, named Spammer, was eaten by a coyote. The little girl was left in the shock. Trebek wasn’t sorry about being honest, either, “I couldn’t understand why there was that big reaction at the end. The coyote ate Spammer. It didn’t bother Willie [his other dog].”

He Once Owned Winery In California

If you ever drank Creston Wine before 2002, then you enjoyed the brand while it was under the ownership of Alex Trebek. He invested in the winery in 1986 and helped run the company until 2001 when a virus wiped out the vineyard’s grapes.

With nothing growing and no interest in replanting, Trebek and the other investors put the property up for sale. After the sale, one of the investors said it wasn’t a “fire sale” but a choice by the investors to go “in different directions.”

He Hosted the “National Geographic Bee” For 25 Years

Photo Credit: NASA via Getty Images

In 2013, Alex Trebek stepped down as the host of the National Geographic Bee. The tournament tests the country’s brightest students on their knowledge of the world. Trebek called it quits as host to travel the world more, maybe inspired after talking about lavish locales for so long.

Trebek was somber when speaking about his tough decision to leave the tournament, “It’s going to be like leaving a family because we have become a lot like a family over the past quarter-century.”

He Framed A Bounced Check From A Failed Game Show

Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage via Getty Images

You can’t say Alex Trebek takes himself too seriously. One of his most prized possession is a reminder of past failure. Hanging in his house or office (we’re not sure which), Trebek has a framed check for $49,000 from a failed game show he once hosted.

The failed gig happened in the ’80s and was likely Pitfall, a Canadian production that ran for one season. When the production company went bankrupt in 1982 they were unable to pay several staff members, including Trebek.

Alan Thicke Gave Him His Big Break

Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

In 1973, fellow Canadian Alan Thicke called Alex Trebek with a job offer. The Wizard of Odds brought Trebek stateside and introduced him to a brand new audience. The show was canceled one year later, but Trebek had no plans to give up on his dreams.

Trebek transitioned from The Wizard of Odds to High Rollers, Double Dare, and The $128,000 Question before finally finding stability with Jeopardy! In some cases, Trebek even hosted multiple shows at the same time, with some forcing him to commute between Canada and the United States.

Trebek Came Up With Tournament Themes For Jeopardy!

Photo Credit: Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

If you’ve ever wondered where Jeopadry! gets its ideas for its special tournament, the answer is Alex Trebek. From the “Teen Tournament” to the “Tournament of Champions,” the man with the mustache is responsible for creating these special game show events.

The “Teen Tournament” first aired in 1987, three years into Trebek’s hosting duties. It has run at least once every season since. The only exception is the 23rd season when the tournament was held twice.

He Almost Became A Priest

Photo Credit: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

As a young boy, Alex Trebek didn’t think he was going to become a game show host. He had dreams of becoming a priest. His mind was changed one year as a teenager after visiting a Trappist monastery.

According to the game show icon, “I took a vow of not only poverty but of silence. And I’m not one to keep my big mouth shut. I enjoy talking.” We’d say he made the right choice. The world seems to love the sounds of his voice just as much as he does.

He Refused To Answer A Question On Another Game Show

Photo Credit: Getty Images

During Regis Philbin’s last show as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, he called Alex Trebek to help answer a question. Trebek refused to answer, saying he didn’t want to have his intelligence tested.

Don’t worry, Alex, we’d never question your intelligence! Of course, it would have been fun to see Trebek accept the challenge and prove just how much he’s learned as host of America’s most popular quiz show.

He Was The First Choice To Host Jeopardy!

Photo Credit: Steve Eichner/WireImage via Getty Images

When Merv Griffin was looking for a host to revive Jeopardy! in 1984, he had the perfect host in mind. Alex Trebek was the super producers first choice to host the revamped game show. We guess he has good instincts.

Griffin fell in love with Alex Trebek as a host when he subbed for Chuck Woolery on Wheel of Fortune before Pat Sajak took over. When Trebek flew auditioned for Jeopardy! he was given the job on the spot.

His Real Name Is George

Photo Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Alex Trebek is not really Alex Trebek. His birth name is George Trebek. So where does the Alex part come in? Alexander is his middle name. Let’s be honest though, Alex Trebek sounds better than George Trebek.

Not that George Trebek is a bad name; it’s just not a great Hollywood name. Do you know many stars in Hollywood don’t go by their real names? Did you know Michael Keaton is really named Michael Douglas?

He And Pat Sajak Switched Places Once

Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

On April Fools Day in 1997, Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak switched game shows. Trebek took the reigns of Wheel of Fortune. In place of Vanna White, Trebek chose Sajak’s wife as his co-host.

Sajak and Vanna White appeared as contestants on the show, donating their winnings to the American Cancer Society and the Boy Scouts of America. Sajak’s episode of Jeopardy! aired the same day, and he was forced to host the show without the comfort of his regular co-host.

He Speaks 17 Different Languages

Photo Credit: Michael Stuparyk/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Actually, the number changes with each interview, but by some estimations, Alex Trebek can speak 17 different languages. In one interview he claimed he could only speak English and French fluently but could get by speaking five languages.

We guess to host Jeopardy! you have to be pretty smart! Trebek is also an avid traveler, so knowing enough of certain languages to get by is logical. Imagine how much money he would have to spend on translators otherwise!

He Doesn’t Write Down Notes Between Clues

Photo Credit: Kris Connor/Getty Images

To the naked eye, it looks like Alex Trebek writes down notes on the card he carries with himself. The truth is he’s really crossing off clues so he doesn’t read the wrong one on accident. He’s not writing down facts for trivia at all!

We think this is pretty cool. It’s not a big thing, but one of those little things that makes a big difference. Just think how unwatchable the show would be if Trebek had to scramble to read the next clue without messing up.

He Used To Breed Horses

Photo Credit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Jeopardy! only films two days a week, leaving Alex Trebek a lot of time for other things. One of his interests he has developed through the years in breeding horses. Like his winery, Trebek owned an operation called Creston Farms to take his hobby to the extreme.

In 2005, however, Trebek sold Creston Farms to Dwain Davis, an investment banker looking to get into breeding. Dwain renamed the farm Windfall Farms and has kept is still in business today in Paso Robles, California.

He Included A Jeopardy! Joke In His Wedding Vows

Photo Credit: ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP/Getty Images

Alex Trebek made sure to lighten the mood at his first wedding by including a Jeopardy! joke into his vows. Standing in front of Jean Currivan at the altar, Trebek responded by saying, “the answer is yes” instead of “I do.”

Currivan was Trebek’s second wife. The married in 1990 and are still together today. Impressive for a Hollywood marriage! Trebek’s first marriage was to Elaine Kares. Their nuptials lasted seven years.

He Once Bought A House For Its Tennis Court

Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

When you’re rich you do weird things. Alex Trebek is no different, one time buying a house just so he could use its tennis court. The purchase was made in the ’90s and we’re sure he has no regrets.

At some point, Trebek began renting the house out, most famously to Pete and Carol Rose. When they moved in, the plumbing and electricity were shot and they demanded Trebek fix the problem. Knowing how handy he is with tools, we’re assuming he did.

He Ran With The Olympic Torch In 1996

Photo Credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

In 1996, the Olympics were held in Atlanta and needed people to help carry it there. When the torch arrived in Jacksonville, Florida, Alex Trebek became its bearer. That’s a pretty amazing honor for one the world’s premier sporting events.

The 1996 Summer Olympics cost the United States an estimated $4.1 billion. That number more than doubled the $1.8 billion the 1988 Olympics in Los Angeles cost! W don’t even want to know what the 2026 World Cup is going to cost (the United States is hosting).

He Appeared On Family Feud Once

Photo Credit: ABC Television/Fotos International/Getty Images

On Richard Dawson’s last episode of Family Feud, Alex Trebek made an appearance, but not as a guest. Don’t forget, Trebek doesn’t compete. Instead, he came on the show to say goodbye to the legendary host.

More importantly, he thanked Richard Dawson for always keeping Trebek’s name in the air, even when he was off it. The respect really shows you how tight-knit of a community game show have.

He Appeared On The Final Episode Of The Colbert Show

Photo Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post

When Stephen Colbert left Comedy Central to CBS, he asked Alex Trebek to help send him off. He was introduced as “the one with all the answers” and greeted Colbert as he drove off in a sleigh driven by Abraham Lincoln and Santa Claus.

The appearance wasn’t the only time Trebek parodied himself. He’s guest-starred on a number of scripted shows as himself, including Hot In Cleveland and How I Met Your Mother. The latter show was fond of making fun of Canada and it’s culture during its eight year run.

He Might Retire In 2020

Photo Credit: Steven Lawton/FilmMagic via Getty Images

We already told you that Alex Trebek’s contract with Jeopardy! runs up in 2020, but will he retire that year, also? Let’s speculate for a second. He’s previously said that he would retire when he was no longer having. He’s shown show no signs of being bored on set yet.

Then again, he has also endorsed potential replacements for himself in the past, including the annoucer for the Los Angeles Kings. Perhaps he’ll run off into the sunset with Pat Sajak, whose contract is also up in 2020!

He’s A Big Supporter Of The Military

Photo Credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images

Alex Trebek feels very strongly about supporting the troops overseas. He’s so passionate about it, in fact, that he became involved with the USO in 1995. Along with the crew from Jeopardy! Trebek has traveled to military installations around the world to meet the troops.

Of course, he’s not looking to say hello. Trebek uses the trips to scout new contestants for the show. Is there a better way to pay back our heroes than by giving them a chance to win thousands of dollars on their return home?